Matilija Ecosystem Restoration Project CEQA Scoping Period Information

This presentation provides information regarding the Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, Scoping Period for the Ecosystem Restoration Project.

•1 Purpose of Scoping Period • Inform the public about the Project and the CEQA environmental review process. • Seek input on the scope and content of the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), including potential environmental issues, mitigation, and alternatives to be analyzed.

Slide 2

The purpose of Scoping is to inform the public about the Project and the environmental review process, as required by CEQA.

Scoping for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project provides an opportunity for the public to give input on the scope and content of the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report, or Subsequent EIR. Input may include identifying specific environmental issues, mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts, or potential alternatives to project actions.

•2 Watershed

Slide 3

Matilija Dam is located along , approximately 16 miles north of the Pacific Ocean in western Ventura County, California. Approximately one‐half mile southeast of the Dam, Matilija Creek and North Fork Matilija Creek join to create the Ventura River, which has a drainage area of approximately 226 square miles.

The Los Padres National Forest surrounds the portions of the Project area along Matilija Creek and Matilija Dam. Downstream of the Dam, the Ventura River flows south past the western edge of the City of Ojai, and through unincorporated communities within Ventura County. In its lower reaches, the Ventura River flows through the City of Ventura until it reaches its estuary with the Pacific Ocean.

•3 Matilija Dam Built 1947

Matilija Creek (pre-dam construction)

Slide 4

Matilija Dam was constructed in 1947 with the purpose of providing water supply and flood control for the Ojai Valley. Prior to dam construction, the Ventura River was known by fishermen for its annual run of southern steelhead trout.

4 Where is the lake? • 8 million cubic yards of sediment is trapped behind Matilija Dam. • Only 2% of the initial reservoir capacity remains.

Friday, September 4, 2020 Slide 5

Since 1947, natural creek sediments have accumulated behind Matilija Dam, diminishing the reservoir capacity. On the photo on the right, the former lake area is outlined in blue. An estimated 8 million cubic yards of sediment is currently trapped behind the Dam. The initial reservoir capacity was over 7,000 acre‐feet of water. Today the reservoir capacity is only 150 acre feet, which is only 2 percent of the original volume. An acre‐foot of water is the amount of water necessary to cover one acre of surface area to a depth of one foot, or about 325,850 gallons of water.

Because the Dam inhibits sediment transport, which is a fundamental mechanism for beach replenishment, downstream beaches have narrowed measurably since construction of Matilija Dam. With a diminished supply of river‐based sand replenishment, beaches in the region are becoming increasingly eroded, causing habitat reduction and a loss of beach sand for recreational use.

5 Appraisal Study 1998-2000

In 1997, the Southern California steelhead trout was federally listed as an endangered species. To restore habitat access for the southern California steelhead, the County Board of Supervisors directed the Ventura County Watershed Protection to study .

Slide 6

In 1997, 50 years after Matilija Dam construction, steelhead were listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Since Matilija Dam blocks access to prime spawning habitat for the steelhead trout, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors directed the Flood Control District to study dam removal. They partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to produce a Dam Removal Appraisal Report in the year 2000. The Flood Control District changed its name to Watershed Protection in 2003, and is part of the Ventura County Public Works Agency.

6 2004 Feasibility Study and EIS/EIR

Partnered with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare a Feasibility Study and an EIS/EIR for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. Over 40 government and non- governmental agencies and water purveyors participated in the environmental review process, as well as numerous members of the public.

Slide 7

Following the completion of the Appraisal Study, Watershed Protection partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare a feasibility study and a joint Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project.

The feasibility study considered 7 alternatives for dam removal, and the EIS/EIR evaluated the short‐term and long‐term impacts from the proposed project components and alternatives.

Over 40 government and non‐governmental agencies and water purveyors participated in the environmental review process, as well as numerous members of the public. Most of these stakeholders, and many others, remain actively engaged in the project development process.

7 Multiple Project Components

Slide 8

The EIS/EIR evaluated the multiple project components that comprise the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. Prior to dam removal, downstream protection components need to be constructed to protect communities and infrastructure from sediment released. These include increasing the capacity under the Camino Cielo and the Santa Ana Boulevard Bridges, upgrading the levees in Live Oak Acres and Casitas Springs, constructing a new levee in Meiners Oaks, and altering the Robles Diversion water supply facility.

The preferred dam removal alternative in 2004 included the removal of the accumulated sediment within the reservoir area. Some sediment would be placed in Matilija Canyon and some would be placed on the wide floodplains downstream.

•8 Project Component Progress

• 2007: Began Giant Reed Removal on 1,200 acres. • 2008: Raised Casitas Springs Levee by 4 feet. • 2009-2010: Drilled and Developed two wells at Foster Park. • 2009: Acquired former County Park Hot Springs Property. Most structures on site were lost in the Thomas Fire. This site will serve as a staging area for dam removal and will become a future recreational feature. • 2011: Created the trailhead at the end of Old Baldwin Road that serves as an equestrian and all accessible trail. • 2020: Will begin construction of new Santa Ana Blvd. Bridge and widen the Ventura River.

Slide 9

Since the certification of the 2004 Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report, Watershed Protection has completed a number of project components of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project.

These projects include: • Ongoing giant reed removal on 1,200 acres; • Raising Casitas Springs Levee by 4 feet; • Drilled and developed two wells at Foster Park; • Creating the trailhead at the end of Old Baldwin Road that serves as an equestrian and handicap accessible trail; • Acquiring the former County Park Hot Springs Property to serve as a staging area for dam removal, which will become a future recreational feature. Unfortunately, the structures at the former County Park Hot Springs Property were lost in the Thomas Fire in 2017. • And lastly, the Santa Ana Boulevard Bridge Replacement and Ventura River widening project will begin in late 2020.

•9 Next Steps in Project Planning

Since the 2004 EIS/EIR, sediment transport and hydrology models have greatly improved, and many across the country have been removed and studied. Between 2008 and 2016, this new information was applied to the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project, and a new alternative has been developed for dam removal. Several other project components now have preliminary designs. VCPWA-WP is preparing a Subsequent EIR (SEIR) to analyze these proposed modifications to the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project.

Slide 10

Since the certification of the 2004 Environmental Impact Study and Environmental Impact Report, Watershed Protection and the design team has applied new information about dam removal to the project. Sediment transport and hydrology models have greatly improved, and many dams across the country have been removed and studied.

Between 2008 and 2016, this new information was applied to the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project, and a new alternative has been developed for dam removal. In addition, several other project components are now in the design phase.

In June 2017, Watershed Protection received funding to implement the Matilija Dam Removal 65% Design Planning Project. The updated plan to remove Matilija Dam incorporates new information garnered from recent dam removal projects as well as modifications to downstream infrastructure. Watershed Protection has determined that preparation of a Subsequent EIR is warranted to evaluate the revised Project components which have adequate design details at this time.

•10 Purpose of the SEIR

1. Evaluate the environmental effects from the revised method for Matilija Dam removal. 2. Analyze updated design and construction plans for the following downstream components: • Camino Cielo Bridge • Live Oak Acres Levee • Casitas Springs Levee

Slide 11

The Subsequent EIR will provide a complete and objective analysis of the revised plan for dam removal, as well as a project‐specific analysis of the environmental effects associated with the development of three other Project components, which include the replacement of the Camino Cielo Bridge, the reconstruction of the Live Oak Acres Levee, and improvements to the Casitas Springs Levee.

•11 SEIR: Revised Dam Removal Method

Matilija Dam

• Controlled Natural Sediment Transport • Timely Implementation • Cost Effective • Proven to Work

Slide 12

After extensive study, Project engineers proposed a new alternative for dam removal relying on the natural sediment transport rather than moving and depositing sediments with machinery. Two 12‐foot diameter holes would be drilled near the dam base and opened via controlled blasting in advance of a large storm event. This storm is expected to transport some sediment from behind the dam downstream to the ocean. Dam removal would occur the following summer.

•12 New Matilija Creek Channel

Slide 13

Once the holes are open, the sediment will travel downstream and a new creek channel will form through the old lake bed as shown in these three diagrams. Not all trapped sediment will mobilize downstream.

Diagram A illustrates that the current lakebed condition does not have a defined creek channel. Diagram B shows Phase 1 erosion process of the initial headcutting of a creek channel shortly after the holes are open and the storm mobilizes some of the sediments. The last diagram, Diagram C, shows Phase 2 erosion when the Matilija Creek channel is near its pre‐dam location and some of the lake sediments stay behind as new canyon slopes.

•13 SEIR: Camino Cielo Bridge Replacement • Located one mile downstream of Matilija Dam. • Existing bridge structure is currently inadequate to convey large storms. • Two bridge replacement alternatives will be analyzed in the Subsequent EIR. Each alternative would involve: • removal of the existing bridge and construction of a new bridge • increased elevation of the bridge • installation of bank protection to protect the constructed infrastructure and accommodate future sediment flows.

Slide 14

Camino Cielo Bridge replacement is one of the downstream components of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project that would be completed prior to dam removal. Adequate engineering studies have been completed so that it can be analyzed in the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report.

Camino Cielo Bridge is located approximately 1 mile downstream of Matilija Dam on the Ventura River. The existing one‐lane bridge structure is currently inadequate to convey large storms. The new bridge design will be elevated to account for the expected increase in the riverbed elevation and allow passage of the increased sediment loads.

Watershed Protection is considering two alternative bridge designs, and each includes installation of bank protection to protect the new road infrastructure.

•14 SEIR: Live Oak Acres Levee Reconstruction

• Located six miles downstream of Matilija Dam, along the west embankment of the Ventura River • The levee currently consists of an earthen berm protected by sections of concreted and loose rock riprap. • Reconstruction will bring the existing levee up to FEMA flood control standards to protect the Live Oak Acres community and to accommodate future sediment flows.

Slide 15

The Live Oak Acres Levee is located approximately six miles downstream of Matilija Dam along the west embankment of the Ventura River. This approximately 1.3 mile long facility extends from Santa Ana Boulevard Bridge upstream to the Live Oak Diversion outlet. The levee currently consists of an earthen berm protected by both concreted and loose rock riprap. Reconstruction will bring the existing levee up to Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, flood control standards to protect the Live Oak Acres community and to accommodate future sediment flows.

•15 SEIR: Casitas Springs Levee Improvements

• Located nine miles downstream of Matilija Dam, along the east embankment of the Ventura River. • Levee improvements are required to meet FEMA flood control standards in order to protect the Casitas Springs community and to accommodate future sediment flows.

Slide 16

Casitas Springs Levee is located approximately nine miles downstream of Matilija Dam, along the east embankment of the Ventura River. The Project would reconstruct the existing 1‐mile‐long levee facility to bring it up to FEMA flood control standards to protect the Casitas Springs community and to accommodate future sediment flows.

Watershed Protection has explored two alternatives for this project component. The first alternative includes upgrading the existing levee at its current location and the second alternative would construct a new set back levee which would allow for a widened river floodplain.

•16 Subsequent EIR Process

Public Input: Public Input: 30-day Public Review Scoping Period of Draft SEIR

Respond to September 2020 Draft SEIR Certify Final Prepare Draft Publish Draft Comments & Notice of 45‐Day Public SEIR & Approve SEIR SEIR Publish Preparation Review Period or Deny Project Final SEIR

Slide 17

This flow chart illustrates the environmental review process for a Subsequent EIR under the California Environmental Quality Act. We are currently at the first step of the process having issued a Notice of Preparation to start the scoping process for the Subsequent EIR. This step includes conducting a virtual scoping meeting to solicit input from affected agencies, the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties. All scoping comments received during the 30‐day scoping period will be considered during preparation of the Draft Subsequent EIR analysis. A second opportunity for public input will be provided after publication of the Draft Subsequent EIR, with a public review period of 45 days. After each public comment period, all comments will be reviewed and considered during the environmental analyses. Comments on the Draft Subsequent EIR will be addressed in the Final Subsequent EIR with responses to comments and/or associated text revisions to the final document.

The last step in the Subsequent EIR process is for the Ventura County Public Works Agency Watershed Protection Board of Supervisors to certify the Final Subsequent EIR. Following certification of the CEQA document, the Board will determine whether to approve or deny the Project.

•17 Ways to Submit Comments: Mail comments to: Ventura County Public Works Agency - Watershed Protection Attn: Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project 800 S. Victoria Avenue #1600 Ventura, CA 93009 E-mail comments to: [email protected] Please include “Comment” in the subject line.

• Comments on the scope and content of the SEIR must be received or postmarked by October 14, 2020. • Please focus your comments on the scope and content of the SEIR, including environmental concerns, mitigation, and/or alternatives to project components. • All comments (including names/addresses) will become public information.

Slide 18

Scoping comments may be sent by mail or e‐mail to the addresses shown in this slide and included in the Notice of Preparation. Comments must be received or postmarked by October 14, 2020. Please focus all comments on the scope and content of the Subsequent EIR, including environmental concerns, mitigation, and alternatives to project components.

All scoping comments, including names and addresses provided, will become public information.

•18 Matilija Dam 2000 Potential Future: Dam Removed

For more information, please contact: Ventura County Public Works Agency- Watershed Protection Attn: Tyler Barns 800 S. Victoria Avenue #1600 Ventura, CA 93009 [email protected] (805) 654-2064

Slide 19

For more information on the scoping process or the environmental review process, please contact Watershed Protection at the address, e‐mail, or phone number provided in this slide.

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